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Harris County Housing Authority is requesting proposals from qualified not-for-profit or for profit multi-family housing developers to construct affordable housing developments utilizing a combination of tax exempt Private Activity Bond proceeds and 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and/or to purchase existing 9% LIHTC developments on properties located by the developers and acquired in Harris County outside of the City Limits of the City of Houston, Texas. Prospective offerors desiring any explanations or interpretations of this solicitation must make a request in writing no later than Friday, July 14, 2017.  The request must be emailed to Samson Babalola at Samson.Babalola@hchatexas.org no later July 31, 2017.  Additional information can be found in the complete Request for Proposal, Addendum 1, Addendum 2.

Harris County Housing Authority is seeking proposals from independent vendors with demonstrated professional competence and experience to provide Voice Over IP & Internet Service at 20M Fiber Broadband for our main office. The contract will be for a period of (1) year with the option to renew up to one (1) additional year at the sole discretion of Harris County Housing Authority. Please respond via mail or email Finance@hchatexas.org no later than Friday, July 7, 2017. Proposals received after this deadline will not be honored. Additional terms, conditions, and specifications can be found in the complete Request for Proposal. RFP Voice Over IP Amendment (2)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 20, 2017

Contact: Timika Simmons
C: 713.540.9817
E: Timika.Simmons@hchatexas.org

HOUSTON, TX – April 20, 2017 – Harris County Housing Authority (HCHA) announced yesterday that Gerald Womack has been elected as Chairman of the Board of Commissioners. He replaces Kerry Wright, who announced at the March 2017 Board meeting that he would be stepping down but would continue to serve on the board. HCHA also announced the appointment of Roberto Gonzalez as Vice Chairman of the Board of Commissioners to replace Womack.

Womack and Gonzalez will continue to serve on the Board with Commissioners Wright, Joe Ellis, and Joe Villarreal. A formal ceremony for the Board’s new appointments will take place at the next Board meeting on May 17, 2017.

 “I’m very excited… I’m really charged up to work with the Authority and the staff at this capacity to make sure that all Harris County residents have access to the variety of services that we provide,” Womack said. “This is a very trying time for housing in general and so I’m happy to be working with my fellow Commissioners, to be able to continue to carry out the mission of HCHA and take us to even higher heights.”

Read the full article here.

Residents of Magnolia Estates made big plans for a day of fun to celebrate the Easter holiday with neighbors. The residents enjoyed an afternoon filled with activities that included Easter bag decorating for gathering eggs followed by a senior citizen -only Easter egg hunt, Bingo and a fish fry. Several residents commented on how much they enjoy the staff and all of the preparations that go into making sure there are fun social activities going on monthly.

Residents feel connected to staff and a sense of family amongst each other. “This place is my home and I never want to leave. My neighbors and the staff here are my family,” said one resident, a retired secretary as she prepared her Easter bag. “I’m enjoying my senior years better than I had ever imagined.”

HCHA has updated its FY2017 Income Limits as published by HUD for  Harris County. Click here to view the updated Income Limits.

Harris County is part of the HoustonThe Woodlands, Sugar Land, TX HUD Metro FMR Area, so all information presented here applies to all of the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. The Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX HUD Metro FMR Area contains the following areas: Chambers County, TX; Fort Bend County, TX; Galveston County, TX; Harris County, TX; Liberty County, TX; Montgomery County, TX; and Waller County, TX.

Income Limit areas are based on FY 2017 Fair Market Rent (FMR) areas. For information on FMRs, please reference the associated FY 2017 Fair Market Rent documentation system.

HCHA is requesting proposals from qualified construction material testing firms to provide all necessary and associated materials testing for the completion of the development of Fenix Estates, a multi-family affordable housing community, located at 3815 Gulf Freeway, Houston, TX 77003. Full information about RFP 17-02 can be downloaded here. Amendment 1 can be found here. Prospective Offerors desiring any explanation or interpretation of this solicitation must make the request in writing no later than Friday, April 7, 2017. Requests must be emailed to Samson Babalola at samson.babalola@hchatexas.org. Amendments to this solicitation, if issued, will be posted on HCHA’s website. Responses to this RFP must be received no later than Thursday, April 13, 2017, at 2:00 pm CST.

Harris County, City of Missouri City, City of Galveston, Harris County Housing Authority, and Galveston Housing Authority are requesting proposals from qualified professional services consultants to provide professional services in connection with the development and completion of a Regional Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH) for the jurisdictions of Harris County, City of Pasedena, City of Missouri City, City of Galveston, Harris County Housing Authority, Galveston Housing Authority, and the Region. Full information about this RFP can be downloaded here.  (Spanish).  Please visit the Harris County Community Services Department (HCCSD) website for more information at www.csd.hctx.net.  Responses to this RFP should be submitted to HCCSD at 8410 Lantern Point Drive, Houston, TX 77054. must be received no later than April 14, 2017, at 2:00 pm.

It is a very special occasion when someone is recognized by both their organization and their peers for excelling at fulfilling the company’s mission. Terrence James, the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) Admissions Manager, was acknowledged for his genuine compassion and dedication toward the HCHA mission, its staff, and clients, by being voted as the HCHA 2016 Employee of the Year.

“He’s the type of employee that makes HCHA look good.” One employee noted on their nomination form. Mr. James began his career with HCHA in 2007 working as an Intake Specialist and in Portability and then in 2015, James became the new HCV Admission Manager. “I saw something great in Terrance based on his work ethic and performance in other departments. I knew with proper guidance, he would be great at this new role. Looking back, I couldn’t be more proud that we gave him this opportunity,” said Debra McCray, Director of the Housing Choice Voucher Program.

“I’ve seen him stay at the intake desk assisting large volumes of clients and managing even larger volumes of phone calls while never running out of care and patience for each person. In many ways, Terrance exceeds the requirements and expectations for this award, and I am more than pleased to nominate him,” one of co-worker noted on their nomination form.

James’ job responsibilities are to manage the admissions process for one of the largest HUD programs that assist the disabled, homeless, elderly, veterans and those facing homelessness through HCHA for Harris County residents. Mr. James is a conduit between the Authority, the clients and federal and state laws that regulate the HCV program, its waiting list, and the admission process.

“Terrance has the most positive attitude that I have seen from a person with his type of workload. If he is not conducting a briefing; he is fielding questions at the front desk; or giving motivational speeches to prospective clients… He is truly dedicated to the clients of this program.” a member of the HCHA leadership team noted on their comment card.

James’ performance demonstrates a strong commitment to providing the best customer service possible.  As the 2016 Employee of the Year, James is known for a unique passion for his work that shines through his dedication to excellence for his clients and the Authority.

 “My clients are fairly new to the program, so they rely heavily on me to provide them with complete and accurate information regarding their application, required documents, and forms, and to simply guide them through the process,” James said.

On the surface, this seems simple but the volume behind it makes it complicated requiring excellent technical and interpersonal skills. For example, in 2016, HCHA opened its HCV waiting list for the first time in 8 years for 3 days and received over 24,000 applicants. Of those applications, only 5,000 were selected through an electronic lottery process to be placed on a new waiting list. James will be the person on the front line helping these 5,000 applicants over the next couple of years try and obtain a Housing Choice Voucher.

 “My past circumstances motivate me to do something for those who do their best to be self-sufficient but are still unable to afford a decent place to live on their own,” James said. “I have been through some of the same situations that I hear every day from clients and I’m honored to play a part in helping them to gain the support they need to be successful… support that my mother did not have available to her when I was young. I feel a sense of responsibility to be good at what I do and to provide good support and information. I want to make sure that everyone I encounter has an opportunity to improve their current situation and for those who are able, reach self-sufficiency in the future.”

When asked about his reaction after learning that he was voted as the 2016 Employee of the Year by his peers and leadership, he stated, “It was a surprise!”

“Everyone here at HCHA works hard and there are many of my co-workers who I felt deserved this honor. It was a big surprise for me when my name was called,” James said. “I’m thankful.”

Others receiving annual awards were (from left to right): Timika Simmons, Director of Public Affairs – Innovation Award; Cindy Vance, Intake Specialist – Commitment to Excellence Award; Charity Debose, VASH Manager – Dream Team Award, Horace Allison, CEO; Terrance James, Admissions Manager – Employee of the Year; Kathrine Escamilla, VASH Program Coordinator – Dream Team Award; Corey MacAllister, Temporary VASH Clerk – Dream Team Award; Christina Wright, Temporary VASH Clerk – Dream Team Award featured with CEO, Horace Allison.

HCHA would like like to thank its entire staff for all of their hard work in 2016 and is looking forward to a, “Better…bolder… 2017!”

Story by: Lubna Qadri, Intern, University of Houston

Photo by: Eriel Chambers, Intern, University of Houston

Printable version.

Dorian Zittle, a 65-year-old Veteran, had been through his share of challenges in life before receiving help from the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program and Harris County Housing Authority (HCHA).

“I wouldn’t want to do anything to mess this up,” Dorian said as he explained how forever grateful he is to have the opportunity to have a place to call home.

The HUD-VASH program combines the Department of Housing and Urban
Development’s Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance for homeless veterans and their families with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs at its’ medical centers and in the community.

Zittle was drafted into the Army shortly after graduating high school. He spent time training at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas where he also attended the missile training school. Zittle described using the radar stations as if they were like playing a video game. He mentioned how the Army was a great experience for him overall. Not only did he meet a lot of people, it “made him grow up” and helped his overall well-being.

After the Army, Zittle thrived in his career as a leading commercial electrician for several large companies which he enjoyed because he was always handy with tools and problem-solving. Being an electrician provided a stable life for him, however; the stress and demands of the job triggered depression and other issues which eventually led to the worst time in Zittle’s life.

“I was homeless and hopeless,” Zittle expressed.

During his time of homelessness, Zittle was introduced to the HUD-VASH program. With assistance from the program, he started to get the guidance that he needed both mentally and financially in order to get back to self-sufficiency. The HUD-VASH program provided him with concentrated care, classes, job searching, and a case manager that would help navigate him back to a healthy lifestyle.

Zittle said he wouldn’t be in his home without the help of  Paula Burns, the Asset Manager at HCHA. When Burns learned about Zittle, she knew that he would be a good candidate for the HUD-VASH program.

“Dorian has changed tremendously,” Burns stated, “He started off more reserved and kept to himself. Now, he has a more open personality. He’s much more vibrant,” she said.

Zittle now lives at HCHA’s Sierra Meadows property, which he describes as a small, warm and peaceful community where the residents, come together to look after each other.

Zittle lives with his service dog, Roxy, who gets a lot of attention around the community. He speaks of her as if she’s his own child. Zittle recently suffered from a heart attack and stroke,  but Roxy was there to save his life. “If it wasn’t for her, I probably would’ve died in my sleep,” Zittle said.

Besides taking Roxy on walks and to the park to play, Zittle also likes to keep up with hobbies from his youth. One of his hobbies is playing Blues music on the acoustic guitar. He is self-taught and said he learned by playing along with instructional videos. He says music, in general, keeps his mind “organized”.

“I went from nothing to having a beautiful apartment in a wonderful community and a new best friend,” Zittle said. “I can’t express how thankful I am for this program and HCHA for helping me get my life back on track.”

Photos and Story by Eriel Chambers, Intern, University of Houston